Early in my faith journey I attended a Prayer Seminar. I remember thinking, “Can’t imagine this will take long. Seriously, how many different ways are there to pray?” Not long into the seminar I was humbled to realize I had much to learn about my relationship with my Jesus. I wanted to learn more. But where to begin?
As if the speaker read my mind, he invited us to browse the bookstore at the conclusion of the seminar. John 5:14 tells us to be confident that “if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.”
My prayer: “Lord, where do I begin?”
I soon found myself holding a copy of The Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie Omartian. Yes! I had a list of areas that I felt the Lord should address regarding my husband. I was sure this book would give me some tips as to how to best talk to God. I could not wait to read it.
The Power
A no nonsense writer, Stormie put me in my place in the first sentence, “First of all, let me make it perfectly clear that the power of a praying wife is not a means of gaining control over your husband, so don’t get your hopes up!” She then continues to set me straight with “It’s a way to invite God’s power into your husband’s life for his greatest blessing.”
Change Me, Lord.
My plan had backfired. I was to lay down my pride and be ok with asking God to change me instead. What? With great immaturity, I confess that 22 years ago I put the book down. Never picked it up again until…
Prayer Ninjas
Fast forward to 2020. While mentoring a young mom I suggested she read The Power of Praying Wife – a recommendation I’ve given to many over the years. This time it was different. I felt a spiritual nudge to take it a step further and ask, “Would you be open to participating in a group study based on this book?” Her yes, led me to prayerfully invite a small group of women and so was birthed the Prayer Ninjas. It’s a diverse group. We range from 51 years of marriage to one who just celebrated her 1-year anniversary. We have much to learn from Stormie, from each other and especially from the Lord.
Covid Who?
There has never been a better time to prayerfully seek God to heal the world, our nation and especially our families. We’ve brought Jesus into our Zoom room and it works. God’s timing is perfect. My heart is full as I remember our last session. Through laughter and tears, we pressed into some difficult topics building trust and honoring our safe space. Trust often takes weeks to show up in a small group. But God… He knows our needs. In our 2nd week, we get that this is our appointed time to pray for our spouses and to change our hearts. Words of a favorite hymn come to mind – so grateful that he continues to change my heart.
Change Heart Oh God – Eddie Espinosa, Vineyard Music
Change My Heart Oh God
Make It Ever True
Change My Heart Oh God
May I Be Like You
You Are The Potter
I Am The Clay
Mold Me And Make Me
This Is What I Pray
Change My Heart Oh God
Make It Ever True
Change My Heart Oh God
May I Be Like You
Helping You Be You
Photo by David Lezcano
Maggie Sabatier-Smith
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